Llanowar AugurHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Llanowar Augur has an activated ability that costs no mana; instead, you sacrifice the Augur itself. Once activated, you choose a target creature to receive +3/+3 and the trample keyword until the end of the current turn. The most important restriction is its timing: you can only activate this ability during your own upkeep phase.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, wait for your upkeep step to begin. Before you draw your card for the turn, announce you are activating Llanowar Augur's ability. You choose a target creature, pay the cost by putting Llanowar Augur into your graveyard, and put the ability on the stack. When the ability resolves, the target creature gains the stats and trample, which will last through your draw step, your main phase, and notably, your combat phase.

Timing and Strategy

Common mistakes involve trying to use this ability during the combat phase or in response to an opponent's spell on their turn. Because it is limited to your upkeep, you must plan ahead. If your opponent destroys your intended target later in the turn, the buff is lost, so ensure you have a reliable creature to receive the bonus.

Interaction examples

Boosting Early Mana Dorks

Llanowar Elves

If you have Llanowar Elves on the battlefield, you can sacrifice Llanowar Augur during your upkeep to target the Elves. The Llanowar Elves become a 4/4 creature with trample. Since this happens during upkeep, the Elves will still be able to attack during your combat phase later that turn.

Trampling Through Air Support

Birds of Paradise

You can use Llanowar Augur's ability to target Birds of Paradise during your upkeep. This transforms your 0/1 flyer into a 3/4 with flying and trample. This is particularly effective because the evasion from flying combined with trample makes it nearly impossible for an opponent to effectively block the damage.